The Supermarket - Taking Your Kids, Keeping Your Sanity

If you're a parent, chances are you probably haven't gone to the bathroom, cooked a meal or shopped for food by yourself in a while. Here are 5 tips for taking toddlers and kids to the grocery store and not losing your mind. Oh, and while creating healthier eating habits and all that good stuff…

1. Teeny Tiny Shopping Carts. If you are lucky enough to go to a store that has these, take advantage. At first glance it may seem like more work for you, but we promise it'll most likely make your tot more agreeable and happy to follow directions.

2. Have your little ones help you add ingredients to the cart. It will make them interested and willing to try new foods and it gives them a sense of pride.

4. Give kids the power of choice and ask them to help you create the week's menu. Ask if they want quinoa or brown rice. Roasted sweet potatoes or roasted cauliflower? This will make all the difference for them and how they see their meals.

5. Give them a healthy food choice that they may see as a treat when confronted with the crazy aisle of junk food. "We're not getting candy today but we can choose from this section over here." This is usually where the kid picks the $5 tiny bag of pistachios, but HEY it's better than a twix. One of the biggest ways to stop kids from picky eating is by not buying the other stuff. It's that simple. If it's not in the house they can't eat it.